Mature students

Whatever situation you’ve come from – work or unemployment, a break after education, raising a family, or keen for a change of direction – we recognise the commitment and dedication that mature students bring to life at Goldsmiths.

Goldsmiths is committed to life-long learning, and we’re proud of the diversity of our student population – nearly half of our undergraduates, and 44% of our postgraduates, are 21 or over when they start their studies.

We’re aware that many mature students have to juggle their studies with family or work commitments, but with the help and guidance of our Student Support Services and flexible academic staff we hope that any difficulties you have won’t be too problematic. Facing the challenges of higher education can give you real satisfaction, and you’ll probably find that your experiences here will bring benefits to all aspects of your life.

Entrance requirements

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, whether they have GCSE AS- or A-levels, an Access to Higher Education Certificate, vocational A-levels or their UK and international equivalent. Our Department of Professional and Community Education (PACE) offers a wide range of courses specifically tailored to adults who want to return to study, many of which have flexible entry arrangements. These include portfolio entrance (where you present a specially made portfolio as evidence of your suitability for a programme), and procedures that take into account your life experiences, both at work and in other contexts. See below for information about PACE.

Funding your studies

Whichever programme you choose to study, you’ll need to assess the financial implications and consider the sources of income that may be available to you – as a mature student you may be eligible for government support in the form of the Student Support Childcare Grant, the Adult Dependants’ Grant or the Access to Learning Fund. To find out more, see Discretionary Funding Sources.

Find out more

UCAS produces a helpful guide which gives mature students an overview of returning to study.

PACE

Our Department of Professional and Community Education (PACE) offers a selection of courses designed to encourage adults returning to study, and to provide routes onto degrees. These include:

- Access programmes

- Integrated Degrees

- Certificate programmes: Humanistic & Psychodynamic Counselling, Music Studies, Music Workshop Skills, Performance Skills & Theatre Studies, Social & Cultural Studies

PACE also offers the degrees in Applied Social Science, Community Development and Youth Work; Social & Cultural Studies; Psychosocial Studies and Social Work.

Contacts

PACE
+44 (0)20 7919 7221
pace@gold.ac.uk